Norwich Class of 2027 thread

Thanks for starting this! My son will be AROTC class of 27 too! Are you guys in the Norwich University families class of 2027 official group on Facebook? It was emailed to the kids recently. Full of great info over there and lots of excited kids and families.
 
Yes, that is a nice group! We haven’t posted there yet but have found it helpful! There is also an Instagram page for the students but it hasn’t had too many takers just yet- there is a $3 Venmo charge (I think to keep spammers out) so I wonder if that extra step is slowing down the uptake. 🤷‍♀️
 
My DD will be in the Corps of Cadets and will be choosing the Navy/Marine ROTC battalion but doesn't yet have a service scholarship. Exploring PLC and the 3 year NROTC scholarship. She will play club hockey also. Excited for her...went shopping last night trying to finish out the packing list!
 
Does anyone know when the kids are supposed to get their iPads from Norwich? Is it when they get there? I thought I read somewhere that they send them out to the kids.

One other question, anyone that got a national scholarship hear about arriving early for an ROTC scholarship dinner?
 
Milarmymarinelady said:
Does anyone know when the kids are supposed to get their iPads from Norwich? Is it when they get there? I thought I read somewhere that they send them out to the kids.

One other question, anyone that got a national scholarship hear about arriving early for an ROTC scholarship dinner?
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Dinner is usually night before Rook arrival. They will email the Rook with an RSVP. IPAD came in the mail a few weeks before Rook arrival.
Is your Rook an athlete? Varsity athletes report weeks before Rook arrival. It is worth making the trip up there for Rook arrival if your Rook has an early report date.
 
My DS went a week early for the FTX week. He was interested in drill going into it, but it was also a great way to meet some people and get the lay of the land before Rook life started. As @banjoppd stated, it was worth going back the following weekend for the Rook arrival experience.
 
Milarmymarinelady said:
Does anyone know when the kids are supposed to get their iPads from Norwich? Is it when they get there? I thought I read somewhere that they send them out to the kids.

One other question, anyone that got a national scholarship hear about arriving early for an ROTC scholarship dinner?
Click to expand...
I called when the iPad didn't arrive in March as stated on the website and they said that the student would get it if they went to an accepted student event otherwise they would get it when they arrived for the fall semester. They are not mailing them this year.
I do have some packing list questions...
1. I've been told by several people not to sign up for the laundry service so my DD isn't going to but I don't see a laundry bag or laundry soap on the packing list.
2. I'm assuming they get the Rook black tie ( not of the packing list) on arrival?
3. Printer yes or no opinion?
4. What type of folders...simple vanilla, pocket, 3 ring binder or doesn't matter.
5. Padlock...what is this for and what size is recommended?

After these are answered I'll probably think of 5 more at least:D and would welcome any random memories or suggestions such as ...if I had rookdom to do all over again I would have would/wouldn't have wished/wished I hadn't...
 
USMC8993 said:
I called when the iPad didn't arrive in March as stated on the website and they said that the student would get it if they went to an accepted student event otherwise they would get it when they arrived for the fall semester. They are not mailing them this year.
I do have some packing list questions...
1. I've been told by several people not to sign up for the laundry service so my DD isn't going to but I don't see a laundry bag or laundry soap on the packing list.
2. I'm assuming they get the Rook black tie ( not of the packing list) on arrival?
3. Printer yes or no opinion?
4. What type of folders...simple vanilla, pocket, 3 ring binder or doesn't matter.
5. Padlock...what is this for and what size is recommended?

After these are answered I'll probably think of 5 more at least:D and would welcome any random memories or suggestions such as ...if I had rookdom to do all over again I would have would/wouldn't have wished/wished I hadn't...
Click to expand...
Don't sign up for laundry service. Washing machines and dryers are free in the barracks. Laundry bag is issued. Laundry soap was cleaning supplies.
Tie- stick to the list, don't add don't take away
printer, our son did not have a printer. I think they submit papers on line. Plenty of printers on campus if needed.
folders- stick to the list if specified, if not then it doesn't matter
padlock- lock up locker or foot locker, normal size

Stick to the Rook packing list.
FYI start searching for the FB parents page for class year 2028.
Attend Rook send off in your area, network with other Alum and parents.
TRUST the SYSTEM no matter how "pointless or stupid" it may seem. Norwich has been producing soldiers since 1819. They have the process pretty well figured out.

The biggest issue I observed, Rooks entering Norwich intending to commission AF or Navy. Many Rooks don't realize AFROTC and NROTC how difficult it is to contract. Many find out their major is not a Tier 1, Tier 2 or AF "highly desired" majors. Cadets are into their 2nd year when they realize they won't contract with AF or Navy. Several of my son's Rook friends either switch to Army or PLC when they found out they couldn't contract with Navy or AF with a CJ or business degree. Contracting NROTC-MO is very tough if a Rook doesn't show up on campus with a MO scholarship, reason why many attempt the PLC route.

NROTC and AFROTC should pre-screen Rooks before they are allowed to enroll into the freshman NROTC/AFROTC classes.
 
Our DS is a 2026 with AROTC scholarship. He also is a winter athlete for the school.

On the ROTC dinner the Friday before (if it is this year), take your Rook home afterward if possible. Being out of state, we left ours over the weekend to set up his room and meet the ROTC kids before Rook started Sunday. Our DS mentioned how awkward that was because all that was at the school Fri - Sun morning were Cadre. It just built anxiety unnecessarily, and they were not able to put anything way.

If your kid wants to jump start any military/Norwich know how, take a look at Future Leadership Camp Our DS did it as a rising HS sophomore, and he was able to get through a lot of stuff easier. He would have good back as a Corp. but COVID cancelled until the summer before Rook.

Agree with the above to stick with the packing list. No less, really no more needed. We did get him two pair of boots (one summer and one GXP/Thinslated) to break in a head of Rook. He did the same with his coraframes (officer shoes).

There was an open house in the summer where our DS was able to get his Ipad early. That was very nice.

As stated above, the black tie comes with the duffle bag. Same with the Rook hats. just wear the khakis and white buttoned on the morning of rook until your kid checks in and picks up their gear/bag.

Besides the packing list, the only things that we really spent good money on were:

1) Boots. Oakley Tactical Boots for summer (I forgot for the winters).
2) Socks. Darn Tough Socks or similar for wearing with Boots. They are expensive, but they're really good for keeping feet in good condition.
3) Watch. G-Shocks work just fine. We use Garmin. Their new Fenix 7 pro lines now all have flashlights built in. Our DS said that was the most useful for doing things after lights out.
4) Computer and Printer: Engineering Laptop and a small personal printer.
5) Jumbo (hockey-size) dufflebag for all the Packing List Items: I think it was XL Northface Camo dufflebag. Folds up really small for its size.
 
SchweatyYeti said:
Our DS is a 2026 with AROTC scholarship. He also is a winter athlete for the school.

On the ROTC dinner the Friday before (if it is this year), take your Rook home afterward if possible. Being out of state, we left ours over the weekend to set up his room and meet the ROTC kids before Rook started Sunday. Our DS mentioned how awkward that was because all that was at the school Fri - Sun morning were Cadre. It just built anxiety unnecessarily, and they were not able to put anything way.

If your kid wants to jump start any military/Norwich know how, take a look at Future Leadership Camp Our DS did it as a rising HS sophomore, and he was able to get through a lot of stuff easier. He would have good back as a Corp. but COVID cancelled until the summer before Rook.

Agree with the above to stick with the packing list. No less, really no more needed. We did get him two pair of boots (one summer and one GXP/Thinslated) to break in a head of Rook. He did the same with his coraframes (officer shoes).

There was an open house in the summer where our DS was able to get his Ipad early. That was very nice.

As stated above, the black tie comes with the duffle bag. Same with the Rook hats. just wear the khakis and white buttoned on the morning of rook until your kid checks in and picks up their gear/bag.

Besides the packing list, the only things that we really spent good money on were:

1) Boots. Oakley Tactical Boots for summer (I forgot for the winters).
2) Socks. Darn Tough Socks or similar for wearing with Boots. They are expensive, but they're really good for keeping feet in good condition.
3) Watch. G-Shocks work just fine. We use Garmin. Their new Fenix 7 pro lines now all have flashlights built in. Our DS said that was the most useful for doing things after lights out.
4) Computer and Printer: Engineering Laptop and a small personal printer.
5) Jumbo (hockey-size) dufflebag for all the Packing List Items: I think it was XL Northface Camo dufflebag. Folds up really small for its size.
Click to expand...
Our DD attended FLC last summer and thought about returning as a cadre Cpl. this summer but the $$ and being so close to starting rookdom she figured she would get her fill of it soon enough. She did love FLC and I agree that a taste of that will likely be helpful.

We had planned on bringing all her stuff up in bins and stuffing her backpack but if she is not allowed to empty the bins so that we can take the bins back home maybe the hockey bag makes sense. It just so happens that we have few of those...
 
USMC8993 said:
Our DD attended FLC last summer and thought about returning as a cadre Cpl. this summer but the $$ and being so close to starting rookdom she figured she would get her fill of it soon enough. She did love FLC and I agree that a taste of that will likely be helpful.

We had planned on bringing all her stuff up in bins and stuffing her backpack but if she is not allowed to empty the bins so that we can take the bins back home maybe the hockey bag makes sense. It just so happens that we have few of those...
Click to expand...
We are very far out of state. Our son gets a storage unit for the summer, he splits it with his Rook brothers. He uses these to store and transport his belongings.

try these:

 
USMC8993 said:
I called when the iPad didn't arrive in March as stated on the website and they said that the student would get it if they went to an accepted student event otherwise they would get it when they arrived for the fall semester. They are not mailing them this year.
I do have some packing list questions...
1. I've been told by several people not to sign up for the laundry service so my DD isn't going to but I don't see a laundry bag or laundry soap on the packing list.
2. I'm assuming they get the Rook black tie ( not of the packing list) on arrival?
3. Printer yes or no opinion?
4. What type of folders...simple vanilla, pocket, 3 ring binder or doesn't matter.
5. Padlock...what is this for and what size is recommended?

After these are answered I'll probably think of 5 more at least:D and would welcome any random memories or suggestions such as ...if I had rookdom to do all over again I would have would/wouldn't have wished/wished I hadn't...
Click to expand...
Others have covered most of the points, but I'll add that my Rook did bring a laser printer and he and his Rook siblings got a lot of use out of it. Until they are recognized they have to square everywhere they walk around campus and he was very happy to have the printer.

He didn't buy winter boots until October before the FTX weekend (AROTC) and actually ended up not using them until December anyway.

The family Facebook group is fantastic, too. Last year I volunteered to bring some big things (like the ironing board) to campus for a Rook who was flying in solo. We were driving and had room so happy to help. Be aware that there is one Walmart within about 20 miles (Target I think was almost an hour away on the map) so picking things up there like you might at another campus isn't really realistic.
 
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